Pipeline filter

ABSTRACT

A pipeline filter assembly comprising a base assembly, an outer wall, and a lid assembly. The outer wall has a lower end portion and an upper end portion, wherein the upper end portion comprises a lower collar, and the lower collar comprises at least one lock notch spaced around an exterior surface thereof. The lid assembly is configured to couple to the lower collar of the outer wall. The lid assembly has an upper collar configured to threadedly mate with the lower collar. The upper collar has at least one housing that projects from the upper collar, the housing having an interior surface, and at least one biasing clip pivotally mounted within the housing for releasable engagement with the lock notch. A pair of pipeline filter assemblies, wherein at least one connection plate is used.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. Non-Provisional patent application is a continuationapplication of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No.17/007,595, entitled “Pipeline Filter,” filed Aug. 31, 2020, which is acontinuation application of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser.No. 16/864,382, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,792,596, entitled “PipelineFilter,” filed May 1, 2020, and claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 62/854,856 entitled “Pipeline Filters” filedMay 30, 2019, which applications are incorporated in their entiretyherein by this reference.

BACKGROUND

Pool filters are an essential requirement for any pool system. Thesefilters tend to come in three varieties, sand, cartridge, anddiatomaceous earth. The costs associated with these three filteringmethods depends on the filter type, with sand being the lowest pricefilter and diatomaceous earth being the most expensive. Becausecartridge filters tend to provide a good balance between cost andefficiency, these pool filters are in great demand. Cartridge filterstend to operate more favorably when scaled to a larger size.Specifically, to provide more adequate filtering, a larger amount ofsurface area of the cartridge should be exposed to the water. But,routine maintenance is often missed because removing the lid from thefilter is cumbersome and difficult. Commonly the filter's lid needs tobe pried off, which makes changing and or cleaning the filter aburdensome task.

Unfortunately, the large size of the filter means that the housings usedto support these filters tend to he costly to build. The result of usinga large filter means all the associated components which support thatfilter need to he large as well. This poses problems for the industry.To start with, the filters require housings that is adequately sized tomatch the needs of the filter. To make housings of such size,manufacturers require production molds which are even larger and morecostly to manufacture. This, in turn, requires even larger and morecostly molding machine to manufacture production molds to produce thehousings. The cost of producing such large pool filter housingsballoons, even more, when considering the added total volume of rawmaterials needed to manufacture the necessary components at each stageof the production process.

As expected, the average costs of pool filters and the associated filterhousing has steadily climbed as a function of filter size. The typicalcost to install a pool filter system is approximately $1,500, and candramatically increase with larger pools. It is not uncommon to findwhole structures on a property used only to shelter this unnecessarilylarge and expensive pool filter equipment, and as mentioned, in additionto problems posed with larger pool filters, the access to the internalfilters is unnecessarily difficult for the average pool owner. Nomanufacturer has yet conic up with an innovative way to remove thefilters lids for easy maintenance. Each filter on the market requirespulling and prodding to remove the lid.

What is needed is a pool filter design which would do away with the needfor oversized molds and oversized molding machines. Such housing shouldalso be easier for the end consumer to maintain and cheaper for themanufacturer to purchase.

SUMMARY

In the invention described herein is directed to a pipeline filterassembly having a base assembly, an outer wall, and a lid assembly.

In a first embodiment, the outer wall has a lower end portion and anupper end portion, wherein the upper end portion has a lower collar, thelower collar having at least one lock notch spaced around an exteriorsurface thereof.

The lid assembly is configured to couple to the lower collar of theouter wall and has an upper collar configured to threadedly mate withthe lower collar.

The lid assembly can include an upper cover configured to secure to theouter wall via the threaded mating of the lower collar and the uppercollar.

Optionally, the upper cover has a top surface and comprises at least onepressure gauge coupled to the top surface of the upper cover and atleast one pressure relief valve threadedly coupled to the top surface ofthe upper cover.

The upper collar has at least one housing that projects from the uppercollar, the housing having an interior surface, and at least one biasingclip pivotally mounted within the housing for releasable engagement withthe lock notch.

The base assembly can comprise a filter base, a base plate upon whichthe pipeline filter assembly is configured to rest, and a support collarconfigured to couple to the base plate. The support collar can have acircular top opening and at least two side openings.

The filter base can have at least one inlet port for water to enter thepipeline filter assembly and at least one outlet port for water to exitthe pipeline filler assembly.

Optionally, the lower end portion of the outer wall is seated within thebase assembly.

The upper collar can further comprise at least one biasing springwherein an end of the biasing spring abuts the interior surface of thehousing and biases its corresponding biasing clip to a locked positionaround a corresponding lock notch. An end of the biasing spring can abutthe interior surface of the housing and bias its corresponding biasingclip to a locked position around a corresponding lock notch.

The lower collar has at least one lock notch spaced around an exteriorsurface thereof. The lock notch has an upper portion and a lowerportion.

Ideally, the pipeline filter assembly further comprises a filter supportmember and a filter for placement inside the pipeline filter assembly.

Ideally, the filter base has at least one inlet port for water to enterthe pipeline filter assembly and at least one outlet port for water toexit the pipeline filter assembly.

Ideally, the support collar comprises a top opening and at least twoside openings.

Ideally, the lock notch comprises an upper portion and a lower portion.

Ideally, the biasing spring is mounted within a recess disposed withinthe biasing clip.

Ideally, the biasing clip is in a primary locked position when thebiasing clip is engaged with the lower portion of the lock notch, andthe biasing clip is a secondary locked position when the biasing clip isengaged with the upper portion of the lock notch.

Ideally, there are a plurality of lock notches.

Ideally, there are a plurality of biasing clips and biasing springs.

In a second embodiment, the invention is directed to a method ofdisengaging the lid assembly from pipeline filter assembly. The methodcomprises the steps of:

a) pulling the biasing clip outwards, towards the inside surface of thehousing to disengage the biasing clip from the lower portion of the locknotch;

b) rotating the lid assembly until the biasing clip clears the lowerportion of the lock notch;

c) releasing the biasing clip and continuing rotation of the lidassembly until the biasing clip engages the upper portion of the locknotch;

d) pulling the biasing clip outwards, towards the inside surface of thehousing to disengage the biasing clip from the upper portion of the locknotch; and

e) continuing rotation of the lid assembly until the lid assembly iscompletely disengaged from the lower collar.

In a third embodiment, the invention is directed to a pipeline filtersystem comprising a pair of pipeline filter assemblies and at least oneconnection plate.

Ideally, each base plate comprises at least one alignment slot and theconnection plate has at least one joining member that corresponds to theat least one alignment slot in the base plates.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages of the present invention may become apparent to thoseskilled in the art with the benefit of the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments and upon reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my pipeline filter housing;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pair of my pipeline filter housingsfurther illustrating directional water flow;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of my pipeline filter housing;

FIG. 4 is a section view of a portion of my pipeline filter housing;

FIG. 5 is a section side view of showing water flow through my pipelinefilter as a system;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the mounting assembly for mounting mypipeline filter to an adjacent pipeline filter;

FIG. 7 is an additional perspective view of mounting my pipeline filterto an adjacent pipeline filter;

FIG. 8 is a section view of my pipeline filter lid assembly;

FIG. 9 is a further exploded view of FIG. 8 illustrating my pipelinefilter lid assembly;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of my pipeline filter assembly furtherillustrating the internal components;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view of my pipeline filter lid assemblyillustrating the application of the lid to the housing body;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a clip located on a lateral portion of mypipeline filter lid;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a clip located on a lateral side of mypipeline filter lid further illustrating an engaged clip;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged section view of my pipeline filter lidillustrating initial disengagement of the filter lid;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged section view of my pipeline filter lidillustrating partial disengagement of the filter lid;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged section view of my pipeline filter lidillustrating secondary engagement of the clip of the filter lid;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged section view of my pipeline filter lidillustrating secondary partial disengagement of the filter lid; and

FIG. 18 is an enlarged section view of my pipeline filter lidillustrating a fully disengaged filter lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the following terms and variations thereof have themeanings given below, unless a different meaning is clearly intended bythe context in which such term is used.

The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” and similar referents used herein are tobe construed to cover both the singular and the plural unless theirusage in context indicates otherwise.

As used in this disclosure, the term “comprise” and variations of theterm, such as “comprising” and “comprises,” are not intended to excludeother additives, components, integers ingredients or steps.

All dimensions specified in this disclosure are by way of example onlyand are not intended to be limiting. Further, the proportions shown inthese Figures are not necessarily to scale. As will be understood bythose with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure, theactual dimensions and proportions of any system, any device or part of adevice disclosed in this disclosure will be determined by its intendeduse.

Referring now to the drawings, like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding features throughout the several views.Further, described herein are certain non-limiting embodiments of mypipeline filter assembly for pool filtering and maintenance.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown one embodiment of my pipeline filter100. Important components of my pipeline filter 100 shown in FIG. 1include a lid assembly 102, an outer wall 104, and a base assembly 106.The lid assembly 102 and the base assembly 106 may be assembled fromsubparts later described. The outer wall 104 may be constructed from anyplastic suitable for such uses and known in the industry, for example,schedule 40 twelve inch pipe or similar plastic product.

Base assembly 106 further comprises base plate 128 and support collar130. Base plate 128 is the platform on which the filter assembly 100rests. Support collar 130 is configured to received and retain baseassembly 116, providing vertical support for the filter assembly 100.

Support collar 130 comprises a base portion 105 coupled to base plate128 and a top opening 107 through which the outer wall 104 projects. Thetop opening 107 can be any shape, but is typically roughly circular tomatch the circumference of the outer wall 104. The base portion 105 ofsupport collar 130 further comprises at least two side openings 109,preferably three side openings 109, through which the base assembly 106can be connected to water pipes. Support collar 130 may be connected tobase plate 128 by clips, screws, or other connection method known in theindustry. Further, support collar 130 and base plate 128 may be moldedto form one contiguous member.

Shown in FIG. 2 is a pair of my pipeline filter assemblies 100. Saidpair 100 is arranged in a configuration which may better illustrate awater flow direction 108. Water needing to be filtered from the pool maytravel to pipeline filter assembly 100 and travel in flow direction 108into an inlet port 110. The water may then travel through a body of thepipeline filter assemblies 100 as shown in FIG. 5. The directionalarrows indicated on the far side of the flow direction 108 diagram mayconstitute filtered water flow ready for return to the pool. Water pipewhich is standard in the industry may be used to feed water flowdirection 108 to and from the pool.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, in FIG. 3, relevant parts of the filterhousing subassembly 112 are shown, including an outer wall 104, a lowercollar 114, and a filter base 116. The outer wall 104 has two opposedends: a lower end portion 111A and an upper end portion 111B. The lowerend portion 111A is seated within the filter base 116. The upper endportion 111B is seated within the lower collar 114. The lower collar 114and the filter base 116 may be glued onto the outer wall 104 withadhesives commonly used in the industry, for example with PCV glue. Thismay create a watertight seal between the lower collar 114 and filterbase 116 with outer wall 104.

FIG. 4 shows my filter housing subassembly 112 in an assembledconfiguration. As shown, the lower collar 114 may further have threadingaround/integrally formed within an outer surface 113, such thatadditional filter members may be tightened onto the lower collar 114.

The filter base 116 has an inlet port 110 and outlet port 118 for waterto flow therethrough. Optionally, the filter base 116 may have aplurality of inlet ports 110 and a plurality of outlet ports 118.Additionally, the filter base 116 may have an internal structure whichserves to divert water flow direction 108 into the filtering area laterdescribed in FIG. 5. The lower collar 114 and the filter base 116 may beinjection molded and made from any plastic commonly known in theindustry, for example, PVC. The at least two side openings 109,preferably three side openings 109, of the support collar 130 are theopenings through which the plurality of inlet ports 110 and outlet ports118 of the base assembly 106 can he connected to water pipes.

FIG. 5 shows flow direction 108 as water enters my pipeline filterassembly 100 at the inlet port 110 via a water inlet tube 115. Fromthere, the flow direction 108 is diverted into an external chamber 120which fully surrounds the filter 122. The external chamber 120 tends tooccupy a substantial height of my pipeline filter assembly 100 and maybe substantially the same height as filter 122. The water flow direction108 then passes through filter 122 and into internal chamber 124. Thewater internal to internal chamber 124 is considered filtered at thisstage and is ready to be diverted back to the pool. The water flowdirection 108 then passes out of outlet port 118. Outlet port 118 isconnected to any water pipe 117 commonly used in the industry fortransporting water to and from a pool.

Air suction line 119 is also shown in FIG. 5, and the direction of theair flow is shown via arrow 121. Air suction line 119 extends above thewater level within the filter assembly 100, and draws air as necessarydown into the outlet port 118 to remove air pressure from the filterassembly 100.

Referring now to both FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. FIG. 6 shows how two of mypipeline filter assemblies 100 may be used in parallel by use ofconnection plate 126. Base assembly 106 may be attached to connectionplate 126 by way of screws, pegs, clips, or other reversible connectionmethods knows in the industry. Connection plate 126 is roughlyrectangular in shape with two outer walls 123 that extend approximatelythe full length of the connection plate 126, forming a central channel136 that extends roughly the entire length of the connection plate 126.Between the two outer walls 123 there is at least one joining member134, preferably two joining members 134, that spans the central channel136, dividing the central channel 136 into three separate channels.

Base plate 128 may have alignment slots 132 which correspond with thejoining members 134 located on connection plate 126. The slots 132 andjoining members 134 function as alignment aids to assure that the filterassemblies 100 are held in close proximity and roughly equidistant fromother objects. Preferably, the central channel 136 of the connectionplate 126 is wide enough to hold an edge of two base plates 128 furtheraiding in assuring non-movement and proper alignment of multipleassemblies 100.

Referring now to both FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, there is shown an upper collar138, pressure gauge 140, pressure relief valve 142, biasing clip 144,biasing spring 146, and upper cover 148. As noted above, the outer wall104 has the lower collar 114 coupled an end portion thereof, wherein thelower collar 114 comprises threading along an exterior surface 113thereof. The upper collar 138 also has threading 125 disposed internalto the collar 138 to threadably mate with the lower collar 114. As theupper collar 138 is disposed over and around the upper cover 148, themating of the upper collar 138 and the lower collar 114 removablycouples the upper cover 148 the outer wall 104, forming a removable topof the filter assembly 100. The upper collar 138 may be injection moldedwith plastics commonly known in the industry and may be further filledwith glass. The upper cover 148 may be made from glass, borosilicateglass, or other glass or plastic known in the industry.

Threadably coupled to a top surface of the upper cover 148 is thepressure relief valve 142. Optionally, the pressure relief valve 142 canbe coupled via glue to the upper cover 148. The pressure relief valve142 comprises a rotatable handle 127 that is used to purge air from thefilter assembly 100 at start up by opening and closing the valve 142.The pressure gauge 140 provides a reading of pressure within the filterassembly 100. The biasing clip 144 and biasing spring 146 are discussedin more detail below.

FIG. 10 shows my entire pipeline filter assembly 100 with most or all ofthe constituent parts. Not previously noted is O-ring 150 and filtersupport member 152. O-ring 150 provides a watertight reversible sealbetween upper collar 138 and lower collar 114. Filter support member 152aids in maintaining the structural integrity and shape of filter 122.Filter support member 152 comprises a cylindrical body with an openbottom end portion 129A and an open top end portion 129B. A circularflange 131 extends from radially from the open bottom end portion 129A,providing a surface upon which the filter 122 rests when placed over thefilter support member 152. A cap 133 is coupled to the open top end 129Band comprises a tubular projection 119 that extends upward, away fromthe cap 133, This is the air suction line 119 noted above. Filtersupport member 152 is made from plastics commonly known in the industry.

FIG. 11 through FIG. 18 illustrate the manner in which an end user of mypipeline filter assembly 100 may engage and disengage the lid assembly102 from the remainder of pipeline assembly 100. FIG. 11 shows the lowercollar 114 coupled to an open end of the outer wall 104, The top of thefilter 122 projects above the open end of the lower collar 114. There isat least one, but more preferably, there is a plurality of lock notches154 spaced around an exterior surface 135 of the lower collar 114. Thelock notches 154 project outward from the exterior surface 135 of thelower collar 114 and engage with biasing clips 144 in a releasablemanner. The lock notches 154 have an upper portion 156 and a lowerportion 158 which may further correspond to points of engagement with acorresponding biasing clip 144. The lock notches 154 may be contiguouswith lower collar 114 along with their upper portion 156 and lowerportion 158.

As noted above, each biasing clip 144 further comprises a biasing spring146. Each biasing clip 144 is pivotally mounted within a housing 137that projects from the upper collar 138 and each biasing spring 146 ismounted within a recess 139 disposed within the biasing clip 144. Thebiasing spring 146 projects from the recess 139 in the biasing clip 144and abuts an interior surface 141 of the housing 137. Optionally, thehousing 137 can function as a handle for gripping by the end user and ispreferably rounded in shape to make it comfortable for the end user togrip.

Each biasing spring 146 biases its corresponding biasing clip 144 to alocked position around a corresponding lock notch 154. Depression of thebiasing clip 144 (by pulling the biasing clip 144 outward, away from thelower collar 114 and toward the interior surface 141 of thecorresponding housing 137) such that biasing spring 146 is depressed,allows an end user to rotate the lid assembly 102 and threadedlydisengage the lid assembly from the remainder of pipeline assembly 100.

As noted above, the lock notches 154 each comprise an upper portion 156and a lower portion 158. Engagement of the biasing clip 144 with lowerportion 158 of the lock notch 154 creates the primary locked position.Engagement of the biasing clip 144 with upper portion 156 of the locknotch 154 creates the secondary locked position.

The primary locked position is best seen in FIGS. 12 and 13 and isdiscussed first. The first point of disengagement occurs when biasingclip 144 is between upper portion 156 and lower portion 158 ofcorresponding lock notch 154. In order to reach the first point ofdisengagement, the biasing clip 144 must be disengaged from the primarylocked position.

FIG. 12 shows an enlarged view of the biasing clip 144 engaged in theprimary locked position with a lower portion 158 of lock notch 154. Abottom portion 143 of the biasing clip 144 comprises a projection 145that helps the biasing clip 144 to engage with the lock notch 154 andprevent rotation of the lid assembly 102. Five threads of both the lowercollar 114 and the upper collar 138 are fully engaged with each otherand O-ring 150 is fully compressed.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of FIG. 12. The lower portion 156 of locknotch 154 is engaged with biasing clip 144. Biasing spring 146 is notcompressed and is maintaining expansion pressure between the insidesurface 141 of the housing 137 and the biasing clip 144. The expansionpressure of biasing spring 146 keeps biasing clip 144 in the primarylocked position until a user intentionally disengages the biasing clip144.

FIG. 13 also shows the threaded engagement of the lid assembly 102 withthe lower collar 114 which induces the compression of O-ring 150. O-ring150 sits in annular groove 160 of the lower collar 114. CompressingO-ring 150 further aids in maintaining a watertight seal between lowercollar 114 and upper collar 138. This compression occurs between uppercover 148 and lower collar 114 and is resultant by threadedly engagingthe two collars together and is locked into place by biasing clip 144and biasing spring 146,

FIG. 14 shows an initial disengagement of biasing clip 144 from lowerportion 158 of lock notch 154 (primary locked position). As noted above,said disengagement from the primary locked position occurs by pivotingbiasing clip 144 on one axis resulting in compression of biasing spring146 and release of biasing clip 144 from the lower portion 158 of thelock notch 154. This pivoting can be achieved by pulling the biasingclip 144 outward, away from the lower collar 114, and towards theinterior surface 141 of the housing 137. Once initial disengagementoccurs, an end user may rotate lid assembly 102 about an axis to furtherdisengage the lid assembly 102.

FIGS. 15 through 18 illustrate gradual threaded disengagement of lidassembly 102 from lower collar 114. Of particular note. FIG. 16illustrates the upper portion 156 of lock notch 154 in the secondarylocked position. This secondary locked position prevents accidentaldisengagement of the lid assembly 102 from lower collar 114 as the lidassembly 102 cannot fully disengage from the lower collar 114 until thebiasing clip 144 is released for a second time from lock notch 154.O-ring 150 is no longer compressed by the upper cover 148 and waterpressure has been released.

FIG. 17 illustrates a similar action as shown in FIG. 14 whereindisengagement from the secondary locked position occurs by pivotingbiasing clip 144 on one axis resulting in compression of biasing spring146 and release of biasing clip 144 from upper portion 156 of lock notch154 (secondary locked position).

FIG. 18 shows complete disengagement of lid assembly 102 from lowercollar 114 wherein the lid assembly 102 can be removed and furtherallowing access to internal chambers of the filter assembly 100 and thefilter 122 contained therein.

Having disclosed the structure of the preferred embodiments, it is nowpossible to describe their function, application, and use. Pipelinefilter assembly 100 may be constructed from subparts made by injectionmold. Specifically, the lower collar 114, the upper collar 138, and baseassembly 106 may all be injection molded. The injection mold process mayuse a variety of plastics known in the industry, for example, PVC.Subsequent to molding said subparts, the subparts may then be glued to astandard pipe sufficient for pool filtering uses, for example, schedule40 PVC pipe or other types of pipe. Construction by injection mold ofsmaller subparts means that overly large injection molds are notrequired, and thus savings may be had during construction and thenpassed to end, consumers.

Importantly, an end user of the pipeline filter assembly 100 may engageand disengage the lid assembly 102 with ease via the self-threadingO-ring 150 and lock notch 154. The lock notch 154 may engage withbiasing clip 144 in a releasable manner. The biasing spring 146 may biasa biasing clip 144 to a primary and secondary locked position around alock notch 154. Depression of a biasing clip 144, such that biasingspring 146 is depressed, allows an end user to rotate a lid assembly 102and threadedly disengage the lid assembly from the remainder of pipelineassembly 100. The first point of disengagement, or primary lockedposition, occurs when biasing clip 144 is between upper portion 156 andlower portion 158 of a lock notch 154.

Specific to the threaded engagement of the lid assembly 102 with thelower collar 114 is the compression of O-ring 150. O-ring 150 sits inannular groove 160 of the lower collar 114. Compressing O-ring 150further into annular groove 160) aids in maintaining a watertight sealbetween lower collar 114 and upper collar 138. This compression occursbetween upper cover 148 and lower collar 114 and is resultant bythreadably engaging the two collars together and is locked into place bybiasing clip 144 and biasing spring 146.

As noted above, there may be a primary disengagement of biasing clip 144from lower portion 158 of lock notch 154 and a secondary disengagementof biasing clip 144 from upper portion 158 of lock notch 154. Saiddisengagement occurs by rotating biasing clip 144 on one axis resultingin compression of biasing spring 146 and release of biasing clip 144from lower portion 158 of lock notch 154 and again from upper portion156 of lock notch 154.

Filter 122 may be accessed as noted above. Removal of filter 122 mayoccur by rotating the lid assembly 102 as previously described, andlifting the filter 122 vertically out of the pipeline filter assembly100. Once isolated, filter 122 may be cleaned by methods commonly usedin the industry. Return of the filter 122 to the pipeline filterassembly 100 may occur by the reverse of the above and return of the lidassembly 102 is likewise the reverse of the above described. Returningthe biasing clip 146 to the primary locking position with respect to thelower portion 158 of lock notch 154 creates a watertight seal and placesthe pipeline filter assembly 100 back into a condition for use.

An end user would change the filter 122 as follows: first the

Particularly advantageous of the pipeline filter assembly 100 may bethat a number of the parts produced by the injection molding processwhich may be smaller, which in turn necessitates smaller molds, which inturn necessitates a smaller molding machine. Such a pipeline filterassembly 100 design would be further innovative if filter lid assembly102 possessed a self-engaging O-ring 150 mechanism which may be builtinto the housing itself. The present invention addresses these needs.

While particular forms of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed, it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art thatvarious modifications can be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detailwith reference to certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments arepossible. The steps disclosed for the present methods, for example, arenot intended to be limiting nor are they intended to indicate that eachstep is necessarily essential to the method, hut instead are exemplarysteps only. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should not belimited to the description of preferred embodiments contained in thisdisclosure. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pipeline filter assembly comprising: a) a baseassembly having: i) a filter base; ii) a base plate upon which thepipeline filter assembly is configured to rest; and iii) a supportcollar configured to couple to the base plate; b) an outer wall having alower end portion and an upper end portion, wherein the lower endportion is seated within the base assembly and the upper end portioncomprises a lower collar seated thereon, the lower collar comprising atleast one lock notch spaced around an exterior surface thereof; and c) alid assembly configured to couple to the lower collar of the outer wall,the lid assembly having: i) an upper collar configured to threadedlymate with the lower collar, the upper collar having: 1) at least onehousing that projects from the upper collar, the housing having aninterior surface; 2) at least one biasing clip pivotally mounted withinthe housing for releasable engagement with the lock notch; and 3) atleast one biasing spring wherein an end of the biasing spring abuts theinterior surface of the housing and biases its corresponding biasingclip to a locked position around a corresponding lock notch.
 2. Thepipeline filter assembly of claim 1, further comprising an upper coverconfigured to secure to the outer wall via mating of the lower collarand the upper collar, the upper cover having: a) a top surface; b) atleast one pressure gauge coupled to the top surface of the upper cover;and c) at least one pressure relief valve coupled to the top surface ofthe upper cover.
 3. The pipeline filter assembly of claim 1, wherein thelock notch has an upper portion and a lower portion.
 4. The pipelinefilter assembly of claim 3, wherein the biasing clip is in a primarylocked position when the biasing clip is engaged with the lower portionof the lock notch, and the biasing clip is in a secondary lockedposition when the biasing clip is engaged with the upper portion of thelock notch.
 5. A method of disengaging the lid assembly from pipelinefilter assembly of claim 3, the method comprising the steps of: a)pulling the biasing clip outwards, towards the interior surface of thehousing to disengage the biasing clip from the lower portion of the locknotch; b) rotating the lid assembly until the biasing clip clears thelower portion of the lock notch; c) releasing the biasing clip andcontinuing rotation of the lid assembly until the biasing clip engagesthe upper portion of the lock notch; d) pulling the biasing clipoutwards, towards the interior surface of the housing to disengage thebiasing clip from the upper portion of the lock notch; and e) continuingrotation of the lid assembly until the lid assembly is completelydisengaged from the lower collar.
 6. The pipeline filter assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the biasing spring is mounted within a recess disposedwithin the biasing clip.
 7. A pipeline filter assembly comprising: a) abase assembly; b) an outer wall having a lower end portion and an upperend portion, wherein the upper end portion comprises a lower collar, thelower collar comprising at least one lock notch spaced around anexterior surface thereof; c) a lid assembly configured to couple to thelower collar of the outer wall, the lid assembly having: a) an uppercollar configured to threadedly mate with the lower collar; the uppercollar having: i) at least one housing that projects from the uppercollar, the housing having an interior surface; and ii) at least onebiasing clip pivotally mounted within the housing for releasableengagement with the lock notch; and d) at least one biasing springwherein an end of the biasing spring abuts the interior surface of thehousing and biases its corresponding biasing clip to a locked positionaround a corresponding lock notch.
 8. The pipeline filter assembly ofclaim 7, wherein the base assembly comprises: i) a filter base; ii) abase plate upon which the pipeline filter assembly is configured torest; and iii) a support collar configured to couple to the base plate.9. The pipeline filter assembly of claim 8, wherein the filter base hasat least one inlet port for water to enter the pipeline filter assemblyand at least one outlet port for water to exit the pipeline filterassembly.
 10. The pipeline filter assembly of claim 7, furthercomprising an upper cover configured to secure to the outer wall via themating of the lower collar and the upper collar.
 11. The pipeline filterassembly of claim 7, wherein there are a plurality of lock notches. 12.The pipeline filter assembly of claim 7, wherein the biasing spring ismounted within a recess disposed within the biasing clip.
 13. Thepipeline filter assembly of claim 7, where there are a plurality ofbiasing clips and biasing springs.
 14. A pipeline filter systemcomprising: a) a pair of pipeline filter assemblies, each assemblyhaving: i) a base assembly comprising a base plate; ii) an outer wallhaving a lower end portion and an upper end portion, wherein the lowerend portion is coupled to the base assembly and the upper end portioncomprises a lower collar, the lower collar comprising at least one locknotch spaced around an exterior surface thereof; and iii) a lid assemblyconfigured to couple to the lower collar of the outer wall, the lidassembly having: 1) an upper collar configured to threadedly mate withthe lower collar, the upper collar having: a) at least one housing thatprojects from the upper collar, the housing having an interior surface;b) at least one biasing clip pivotally mounted within the housing forreleasable engagement with the lock notch; and c) at least one biasingspring wherein an end of the biasing spring abuts the interior surfaceof the housing and biases its corresponding biasing clip to a lockedposition around a corresponding lock notch; and 2) an upper coverconfigured to secure to the outer wall via the mating of the lowercollar and the upper collar; and b) at least one connection plate. 15.The pipeline filter system of claim 14, wherein each base plate has atleast one alignment slot and the connection plate has at least onejoining member that corresponds to the at least one alignment slot inthe base plates.